Stankiewitch pours heart into combine

Matt Stankiewitch didn't have a chance to reflect on his experience at the NFL Combine until he got to the Indianapolis International Airport last week.

"I poured my heart into it," Stankiewitch said. "I went to the airport and I was exhausted. I think I gave everything I had. It was a grueling process mentally and physically."

Stankiewitch, an All-Big Ten first-team selection at center last season, was one of four former Penn State players who participated in the combine. He said he thought he did especially well in the one-on-one interviews with coaches, scouts and general managers from about 14 or 15 teams.

"It's a very grueling week of interviews," he said. "You have to be on top of your game with taking tests. I heard positive feedback from everybody. They liked the interviews. They liked my field work and they liked my tape.

"Hopefully they (now) know about my personality and my work ethic and what kind of player I am. Hopefully I could improve my stock."

Stankiewitch, a Blue Mountain grad, has been projected to be a late-round pick in the draft in April. Measured at 6-2¾ and 302 pounds, he didn't post strong numbers in the field tests.

He ran a 5.43 in the 40-yard dash, which was better than only nine offensive linemen. He had a vertical jump of 24 inches, which ranked in the bottom half of the linemen, and 92 inches in the broad jump, which was the third-worst.

Stankiewitch did make 27 bench press repetitions, which was the same as Texas A&M tackle Luke Joeckel, who's considered a top 10 pick.

He and nine other former Penn State players will continue to work with Nittany Lions strength and conditioning coach Craig Fitzgerald in preparation for the school's Pro Day March 11.

Stankiewitch returned to State College after attending the Maxwell Football Club awards banquet Friday night in Atlantic City, N.J., with his classmates, who received the Tom Brookshier Spirit Award.

"This is a real special time," he said Friday. "We've known each other for five years. This is going to be the last time we're all going to be together for a while, maybe forever. It'll definitely be an emotional time tonight."

•Mauti recovering: Former Penn State linebacker Michael Mauti said he expects to be fully recovered from his torn ACL before the start of NFL training camps in July.

Mauti tore the ACL in his left knee for a second time in November during a victory over Indiana. He was selected to one All-America first team and to the All-Big Ten first team. It was the third time that he had suffered a torn ACL since his freshman year.

"I'm doing well," Mauti said. "I'm doing some running. I feel further along than the past two ones. I feel better."

Mauti is working out in New Orleans, near his hometown. He attended the NFL Combine, but he couldn't run and do field drills. He was examined by the medical staff of every NFL team.

"The feedback was real positive," he said. "The doctors from all 32 teams had a chance to put their hands on it."

•Ireland on his mind: Penn State coach Bill O'Brien said that he continues to pursue playing a game in Ireland in 2014 or 2015.

A game in Ireland would help fill the void created by the four-year bowl ban levied by the NCAA in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

O'Brien said Penn State's plans are on hold until the Big Ten announces its football schedule for 2014-15 in the next several months.

"The Big Ten is deciding whether to go to a nine-game or 10-game schedule in the future," he said. "It could stay at eight games. We kind of have to wait to see what they do. Then you have to find an opponent willing to make that trip."